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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 116 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. We wanted to take a walk to ________________ the time.
  2. He put a rubber ________________ around the bundle of letters.
  3. You can't go backstage without a ________________.
  4. The polar ice ________________ is melting.
  5. He's the lead singer in a rock ________________.
  6. He still wears his gold wedding ________________.
  7. Can you turn the ________________ on?
  8. Are you a huge ________________ of trains?
  9. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  10. No doubt you will be able to ________________ the examination.
  11. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  12. The ________________ market has crashed.
  13. What's the difference between broth and ________________?
  14. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  15. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  16. That was ________________ to happen.
  17. When will it ________________ you to start?
  18. Can you put the ________________ back on the pen?
  19. The supermarket has a large ________________ of merchandise.
  20. It's best to wear a ________________ on your head during the cold Moscow winters.
  21. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  22. I am not a ________________ of shrimp.
  23. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  24. The old man leaned on his ________________.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. pass — to spend time
  2. band — a rubber band
  3. pass — a permit
  4. cap — of ice
  5. band — a music group
  6. band — a ring
  7. fan — to cool the air
  8. fan — a supporter
  9. staff — employees
  10. pass — to succeed
  11. staff — employees
  12. stock — shares
  13. stock — a soup base
  14. suit — in cards
  15. bound — tied together
  16. bound — certain
  17. suit — to fit
  18. cap — a lid
  19. stock — goods
  20. cap — a hat
  21. suit — clothes
  22. fan — a supporter
  23. bound — obliged
  24. staff — a stick

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com